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So how likely is it for us here in the US to get a new SK-5 for around $30,000? I would like to get one tomorrow if I can. Let me know.

It is very likely only to possess one. But, please note that SKs you have seen and satisfied with the performances(excluding with the prices) at the dealerships in you country have been preped by MPAs or a very skillful techs after uncrating. If one of your friends is happen to be a Kawai MPA or a very skillful tech, it is worth considering getting one from Japan direct.

Thank you for your reply, Masaki. It is unlikely that any of us here in the US have a Kawai MPA for a friend. But from the experiences that I have read about people on this forum and others who have had a Kawai MPA over at their homes, and how friendly and professional these MPAs are, we all would love to call one our friend.

1. I have no idea what Goldberg is referring to about signing come kind of contract.2. In California the laws regarding Cooling Off Periods are left to outside sales where the seller/dealer is meeting the customer somewhere off premises ie. armory sales etc. When a customer comes into a brick and morter store, picks out an item, pays the money and signs the cash sale invoice, a deal ought to be a deal.3. Every dealership I have ever been in displayed MSRP pricing. Most have additional "sale pricing." It is common knowledge that street selling prices are 20%-30% off that.This is no different than any other "big ticket" item i.e. pool tables, jet skis, boats, professional ranges, etc.How can your showing prices in Japan "help" U.S. buyers? They can't buy these pianos here at your pricing. How are you helping them?

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Co-Author of The Complete Idiot's Guide To Buying A Piano. A "must read" before you shop. Work for west coast dealer for Yamaha, Schimmel, Bosendorfer, Wm. Knabe.

Chesslover seems to be a troll, nothing more. His ideas need no rebuttal because they are not expressed in logical form. There are plenty of aggressive adjectives and a reasonable amount of mild profanity, but nary a linear stream of argument to be found.

I have though about moving to Europe or Japan just so I can enjoy a better damn lifestyles than my sad sad life here in the US.

A lower priced piano doesn't equate to a better lifestyle. Low prices (subsidized or otherwise) for flour, milk, bread, sugar, etc. might be helpful to a better minimum lifestyle, but for most people lifestyle means much more than the ability to obtain a rock-bottom price on anything they want.

I have a lot of Japanese visitors, and I visit Japan annually. Life there has never been the same since the bubble burst around 1990. Mega-sized discount department stores (equal in size to US examples) continue to proliferate. 100 Yen stores (equal to US 99 cent stores) are everywhere. Used cars continue to be popular spending alternatives to new. Twenty years ago most Japanese people were uncomfortable when a price seemed low. They had more confidence when the price was higher. No more! People try to cope with the present while worrying about their pensions, their children's future, and their retirement (sound familiar?). Their government flounders while looking for answers. (sound familiar?)

Then they scrape together enough for a family vacation to California and find that the digital keyboards, digital cameras, and game software that were made in their country all cost less in the US, and that US travelers flying the same airline and same round-trip route that they are, but in the opposite order, are paying 30 to 50% less for their tickets. I don't think it will comfort them much if they can get a Kawai on the cheap back home.

It's people like Goldberg that make it difficult for prospective buyers of pianos to find accurate information, and therefore making shopping for a piano difficult and quite frankly, not an enjoyable experience. People that sell pianos are just like you and me, they need to make a living too. I understand we don't want to get ripped off, but if you really like something and want it, then go out and get it. Life is too short to be caught up and constantly playing Monday morning quarterback for months, even years after you bought the piano. When I bought my piano, I know that I could have gotten a better price(according to these forums) yet I didn't want to look like an a$$, and embarass myself and my integrity and name.

This is the main reason why buying a piano is a far more traumatic experience for most of us (non-industry insiders) than it needs to be. Here in Singapore (Yamaha excepted) it is quite possible to be quoted three different prices on the same piano by three different sales staff in the same shop. Even at the reputable dealers. (Actually, the most 'reputable' dealers in Singapore are the worst - and Steinway is the least price transparent brand here, with prices being almost twice the US retail). Left me with such a bad feeling that I wouldn't have bought a piano from them if I had any other possible options.

I think that's why Yamaha is so popular here. There is at least a reasonable degree of price transparency, and the sales staff don't make you feel like you just walked into the worst type of used car sales room. Prices are consistently about 25-30% above the prices quoted above, but are clearly displayed, and the salesman doesn't give you a wink and a nudge and suggest that he might be able to negotiate a 'discount' with his boss. Just for you. Because you're special. . [/b]

Dear Kelana,

I just bought a piano from such a dealer ... a nudge and a wink (but I did my research, and knew I paid 3-4K above the "reasonable price") and I was supposed to be "special." Haha!

Isn't it better for Singaporean dealers to be more transparent in their prices? I guess their sales would improve greatly ... what a pity, I love Kawai pianos.

BTW, Yamaha prices in Singapore are now very reasonable - almost on par with Japan's prices. Saw my post on that? (My first thread in this forum).

I almost bought a Yamaha C3 or C5 just because I felt the price was transparent and reasonable. But the SK3 won my heart - and emptied my wallet :p